Attempt at Immunization by Oral Feeding of Live Rhinoviruses in Enteric-Coated Capsules

Summary

Persons aged 5 to 18 were fed live type 32 or 44 rhinovirus in enteric-coated capsules with the hope of bypassing the acid pH of the stomach and of establishing infection in the intestinal tract. Simultaneous tests in persons fed similar capsules containing BaSO₄ and followed by X-ray revealed that at least 1 of the 2 capsules fed disintegrated in the intestinal tract of two-thirds of the subjects. None of the persons became ill and none developed antibody against either virus. The findings in the experiments did not indicate that immunization against rhino-viruses may be achieved by the procedure used.